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Brown defeated over Gurkha rules Brown defeated over Gurkha rules
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown's government has suffered a surprise defeat in the Commons on its policy of restricting the right of former Gurkhas to settle in the UK.Gordon Brown's government has suffered a surprise defeat in the Commons on its policy of restricting the right of former Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
MPs voted by 267 to 246 in favour of a Lib Dem motion that all Gurkhas be offered an equal right of residence.MPs voted by 267 to 246 in favour of a Lib Dem motion that all Gurkhas be offered an equal right of residence.
Tory leader David Cameron backed the Lib Dem motion to scrap rules which leader Nick Clegg called "shameful".Tory leader David Cameron backed the Lib Dem motion to scrap rules which leader Nick Clegg called "shameful".
Mr Brown's first significant defeat as PM came despite last minute concessions being offered to rebel Labour MPs.Mr Brown's first significant defeat as PM came despite last minute concessions being offered to rebel Labour MPs.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had promised to start a review of the new criteria - which was only announced last week - by the summer and gave an assurance veterans would not be deported.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had promised to start a review of the new criteria - which was only announced last week - by the summer and gave an assurance veterans would not be deported.
'Immense victory''Immense victory'
The vote is not binding, but it represents an embarrassing Commons defeat for Gordon Brown at a time when he has faced criticism over a number of other issues.The vote is not binding, but it represents an embarrassing Commons defeat for Gordon Brown at a time when he has faced criticism over a number of other issues.
It is also thought to be the biggest Commons victory achieved by the Liberal Democrats since their formation two decades ago.It is also thought to be the biggest Commons victory achieved by the Liberal Democrats since their formation two decades ago.
There were shouts of "resign" as the numbers were announced. Labour MP Martin Salter told the BBC many of his colleagues had abstained in the vote.There were shouts of "resign" as the numbers were announced. Labour MP Martin Salter told the BBC many of his colleagues had abstained in the vote.
The Lib Dems said 28 Labour MPs voted for their motion.The Lib Dems said 28 Labour MPs voted for their motion.
Today is a historic day where Parliament took the right decision David Cameron In quotes: Reaction to vote Today is a historic day where Parliament took the right decision David Cameron In quotes: Reaction to vote class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8025587.stm">In full: The Labour rebels
After the vote Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron joined actress Joanna Lumley who has been campaigning on the issue and Gurkhas outside Parliament.After the vote Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron joined actress Joanna Lumley who has been campaigning on the issue and Gurkhas outside Parliament.
Both leaders said, while the vote was not binding, the government would have to change its policy.Both leaders said, while the vote was not binding, the government would have to change its policy.
Mr Clegg said: "This is an immense victory on a series of fronts: for the rights of Gurkhas who have been waiting so long for justice, a victory for Parliament, a victory for decency."Mr Clegg said: "This is an immense victory on a series of fronts: for the rights of Gurkhas who have been waiting so long for justice, a victory for Parliament, a victory for decency."
He added that it was "the kind of thing people want this country to do".He added that it was "the kind of thing people want this country to do".
Uncomfortable episodeUncomfortable episode
Mr Cameron said it was "embarrassing" for the prime minister because his efforts to strike a "shoddy deal" with Labour rebels had failed.Mr Cameron said it was "embarrassing" for the prime minister because his efforts to strike a "shoddy deal" with Labour rebels had failed.
He added: "Today is a historic day where Parliament took the right decision. The government have got to come back with immediate proposals so that the Gurkhas can have an answer."He added: "Today is a historic day where Parliament took the right decision. The government have got to come back with immediate proposals so that the Gurkhas can have an answer."
Ministers should come back with immediate proposals to change the system, he said.Ministers should come back with immediate proposals to change the system, he said.
MPs reject Brown's Ghurka policyMPs reject Brown's Ghurka policy
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said there would now be enormous pressure on the government to change the guidelines on settlement.BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said there would now be enormous pressure on the government to change the guidelines on settlement.
She added it was another uncomfortable episode for Jacqui Smith - who has faced recent questions over her expenses and handling of a Home Office leaks inquiry.She added it was another uncomfortable episode for Jacqui Smith - who has faced recent questions over her expenses and handling of a Home Office leaks inquiry.
Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they served in the British army before 1997.Some 36,000 former Gurkhas have been denied residency because they served in the British army before 1997.
'Major changes''Major changes'
Ministers had introduced new rules allowing more soldiers to settle here based on long service, medals received, and those injured in battle.Ministers had introduced new rules allowing more soldiers to settle here based on long service, medals received, and those injured in battle.
The Home Office said that new rules would allow about 4,300 more to settle, but the Gurkha Justice Campaign said it would be just 100.The Home Office said that new rules would allow about 4,300 more to settle, but the Gurkha Justice Campaign said it would be just 100.
Defending the policy at prime minister's questions earlier, Gordon Brown said that the new guidelines announced last week would allow 10,000 Gurkhas - including their families into the UK.Defending the policy at prime minister's questions earlier, Gordon Brown said that the new guidelines announced last week would allow 10,000 Gurkhas - including their families into the UK.
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the policy should be changed quicklyMr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the policy should be changed quickly
He added: "We are determined to honour the service that the Gurkhas give. We have been very proud of what they have done for our country. We have made major changes over the last few years. We are prepared now to make major changes again.He added: "We are determined to honour the service that the Gurkhas give. We have been very proud of what they have done for our country. We have made major changes over the last few years. We are prepared now to make major changes again.
"And we are prepared to continue to review the situation for the future. It must be based on proper facts and proper figures, and it must be based on the ability to make decisions that we can afford.""And we are prepared to continue to review the situation for the future. It must be based on proper facts and proper figures, and it must be based on the ability to make decisions that we can afford."
Ms Lumley said the campaigners were "elated" as they had expected to lose the vote.Ms Lumley said the campaigners were "elated" as they had expected to lose the vote.
"When it came through we saw it on the screen and I can't tell you the sense of elation," she said."When it came through we saw it on the screen and I can't tell you the sense of elation," she said.